VOORHEES, N.J. — Wayne Simmonds is likely to play Saturday as the Carolina Hurricanes visit the Flyers in a rematch of a game at Wells Fargo Center all of a week ago.

At least, it seems like Simmonds is going to play.

The Flyers power forward was diagnosed with a concussion after being plowed with an elbow from the Capitals’ John Erskine in Washington Feb. 1. Simmonds was skating on his own by last weekend, and Friday participated in a full practice at the Skate Zone.

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“They haven’t told me if I’m in or out,” Simmonds said afterward. “But I feel good.”

He said he’s passed all his concussion tests, and will wait to get a green light Saturday morning from coach Peter Laviolette. Of course, Laviolette directed all questions concerning Simmonds’ status to general manager Paul Holmgren, who likely needed to get a go signal from the club doctors...which probably already happened since Simmonds was a full participant in practice Friday.

These head injuries can leave everyone kind of spinning, can’t they?

“I think, obviously, they changed some of the protocol for concussions,” Simmonds said. “You only have one brain. It is only right to wait until you are fully recovered until you come back.”

But Simmonds has pronounced himself fit to play, and certainly the Flyers could use him in the lineup.

“For me, this was my first concussion, so obviously I wanted to wait until I felt comfortable,” Simmonds said, “I feel good, I feel ready to play, but then again it is up to the coaching staff.”

Presuming the convoluted go sign is given, Simmonds’ presence could shake up any one of the top three Flyers lines. Danny Briere might stay on top line right wing, or perhaps he could go back to his second line center spot. Either way, he’d be one of the first ones to lay down a welcome mat for Simmonds.

“He’s strong along the walls, another big body, and he’s always tough to play against,” Briere said. “Probably more than I’ve ever seen before, the game is being played along the (boards). So guys like him and (Scott) Hartnell and even (Andrej) Meszaros on defense, when they get back they’ll be big additions for us.”

While Simmonds’ return is imminent, there is also optimism about those other injured Flyers. Hartnell and Meszaros are both expected to start skating in the upcoming week. Holmgren has noted both might be able to play within another couple of weeks.

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Injuries have shuffled the Flyers’ intended lines up a bit, leaving some players to change roles. One blatant example is Max Talbot, who last year had a career high 19 goals, but this year is scoreless with only an average of a shot on goal per game.

“He’s used in a little bit of a different role this year,” Laviolette said. “He’s more on a straight checking line. The role might be a little different for him. It’s not like he’s not getting chances or opportunities, but I think Max has done a nice job for us.”

That said, Laviolette pointed out there’s room for offensive improvement in Talbot’s game.

“Offensively, I think there’s room for improvement from all of our guys,” Laviolette said. “We’re not scoring enough in general.”

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NOTES: It would figure that Simmonds is mostly missed on the power play, since he’s skilled at fronting the opposition’s crease. But he noted the Flyers’ power play has actually been better during the three games he’s missed. He thinks rookie Tye McGinn has done a great job in that low post spot while he’s been out. “We did well the last few games,” Simmonds said. “Claude (Giroux) and Kimmo (Timonen) are getting a lot of shots through and Tye’s doing a great job in front of the net.” Carolina beat Ottawa Thursday night to move to 5-4. The Hurricanes will be looking to avenge a 5-3 loss to the Flyers last Saturday at WFC. With so many games against all East competition so closely cropped, Briere said, “Emotions are flying a lot more. Look at the Tampa game (a victory Tuesday at home, just nine days after a blowout loss in Tampa). That was very emotional.”